Tag Archives: power

In part one of Rich Luhr’s boondocking tips he shared the best ways to ease “range anxiety” by increasing your Airstream battery life. “Another major way to extend your power supply is to understand where the power goes,” said Luhr. The built-in battery monitor won’t help with that. You will need to install an accurate … Continue reading Conserving Power While Boondocking, Part 2→

One of the most concerns of RV travelers who have begun to stray from established campsites has to do with energy usage. They’re always worried about running out of battery power, a version of the “range anxiety” that owners of electric cars often have. That’s a legitimate concern, because once the batteries run out of … Continue reading Conserving Power While Boondocking→

When you turn on a light in your house, the light goes on. That’s simple. But when you turn on a light in your Airstream while on battery power, it may seem like you’re suddenly expected to have an advanced degree in electrical engineering. That’s because managing power is one of the biggest challenges new … Continue reading What’s in a watt?→

Should you care about the power that comes into your Airstream from the campground? Absolutely. YES. Even newer campgrounds can have problems with their electrical power. Outlets may be mis-wired or damaged in a way that can be hazardous to your health—and the health of your Airstream. Especially on a hot and humid day, when … Continue reading Digital Voltage Monitor→

Most people don’t think about the fat black cable that connects the Airstream to the tow vehicle—until something doesn’t work, like taillights or brakes. It’s called either the “umbilical” or “7-way” cable, and keeping it in good condition is important because it’s the critical link for correct operation of trailer brakes, lights, and signals. The … Continue reading The 7-way cable→

Most travel trailers are built for weekend use. That mean the factory equips them with a battery or two that is sufficient to power the trailer for about two nights without being plugged in. After that, it’s time to find a source of power. So it’s not surprising that not long after an Airstream owner … Continue reading Secrets of Power: The Xantrex TrueCharge 2→

Airstreamers at Alumafandango picked up some energy-saving power usage tips from seminar leaders who provided answers to a variety of power resource questions. Solar power, shore power, generator backup…the configurations are as varied as the number of rigs on the road, and the answer to most power questions is “it depends”. While each Airstream is … Continue reading Power Source Tips→